In a groundbreaking discovery that is rewriting the historical narrative of Egypt’s Mediterranean frontier, archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a 3,400-year-old settlement near Kom el-Nugus, close to Lake Mariout and the modern city of Alexandria. The town is believed to date back to Egypt’s 18th Dynasty (circa 1550 BCE–1292 BCE), a period renowned for its imperial expansion and monumental architecture.
The findings were published in a recent issue of Antiquity by a team from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), led by archaeologist Sylvain Dhennin of the University of Lyon.
A New Chapter for Egypt’s Mediterranean History
The settlement is composed of mud-brick buildings, organized street networks, and a drainage system, indicating advanced urban planning and a semi-permanent or permanent population. What stunned researchers most, however, was the age of the site—hundreds of years older than previously known settlements in this region.
“The discovery of New Kingdom remains at the site was a great surprise,” said Dhennin in an interview with New Scientist. “This discovery completely revises the history of Egypt’s western frontier in the New Kingdom.”
Until now, historians believed that Egypt’s Mediterranean coastal areas—particularly around Alexandria—were only settled during the Ptolemaic period (332 BCE–30 BCE). This find provides the first clear evidence of a much earlier occupation, dating back to the era of Tutankhamun, Akhenaten, and Ramses II.
Key Artifacts: Merytaton, Seti II, and Ramses II
One of the most significant clues to the site’s age was the discovery of an amphora bearing the name of Merytaton, daughter of the heretic pharaoh Akhenaten and queen Nefertiti. Merytaton was also the sister of Tutankhamun, famously known as King Tut. The stamp provided a strong indication that the site was active during the 18th Dynasty.
In addition, researchers uncovered a fragment of a stele featuring the cartouches of Seti II (reigned 1203–1197 BCE) and blocks from a temple dedicated to Ramses II (reigned 1303–1213 BCE), the latter of whom is widely associated with the biblical Exodus.
Layers of History: From the New Kingdom to the Ptolemies
Excavations at Kom el-Nugus revealed multi-layered occupation, including remains from the Third Intermediate Period (1070 BCE–664 BCE), the Late Period (664 BCE–332 BCE), and the Ptolemaic era. Researchers initially began investigating the site while surveying a Greek town from the Ptolemaic period, unaware they would uncover a much older Egyptian layer beneath.
These findings collectively suggest that the western frontier of ancient Egypt was more extensively developed during the New Kingdom than previously believed.
Scholarly Caution and Future Research
While the findings have been hailed as a breakthrough, some experts urge caution. Dr. Rennan Lemos, an archaeologist at the University of Cambridge, noted that further excavation is needed to determine the precise phases of occupation.
“Continuing excavations will hopefully provide more details regarding the establishment of this settlement and its occupation phases,” said Lemos.
With ongoing digs and the potential for further discoveries, Egypt’s northern coastline may soon be recognized not just for its Ptolemaic heritage but as a vital frontier of the New Kingdom’s urban and strategic expansion.
